Steckby-Lödderitzer Forst, Nature reserve in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany.
Steckby-Lödderitzer Forst is a nature reserve in Saxony-Anhalt that covers roughly 3,820 hectares (9,440 acres) along the Elbe River. The landscape includes forests, meadows, wetlands, and numerous ponds distributed across the stretch between Aken and Breitenhagen.
The area received protection before 1961 and later became the core of the Middle Elbe Biosphere Reserve. International recognition came on November 24, 1979.
This reserve serves as a living laboratory where visitors can directly observe how different ecosystems work together along the river valley. The trails pass through areas that show the contrast between actively managed sections and wild zones left untouched.
Walking trails start from St. Nicolai Church in Steckby and guide visitors through the reserve. The main circular route covers about 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) and takes roughly 3 hours to complete.
The reserve includes around 710 hectares of core zones where nature evolves completely on its own without any human involvement. These undisturbed sections support over 100 breeding bird species and rare plants that thrive in their native conditions.
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